In this video, I critique Baptist theologian Russell Moore’s treatment of universalism. Unfortunately, the sound level is low but I’m not inclined to re-record it so it is what it is.
conservatism
Liberal Christians who distort the Gospel and Conservative Christians who do likewise
A New York Times interview with the theologian Serene Jones, the current president of Union Theological Seminary, is getting some attention given that Jones enthusiastically tosses multiple cherished doctrines of Christian orthodoxy. Virgin birth? “Bizarre,” she says. God as omnipotent and omniscient? “A fabrication of Roman juridical theory and Greek mythology.” The resurrection of Jesus? […]
Why it isn’t helpful to use progressive vs. conservative as boundary markers
Yesterday, I was asked the following question on Twitter: “as someone who identifies as a [Christian] progressive, how would you define ‘progressive Christianity’ if [I may] ask?” I thought this question to be worth answering in an article. So here goes. Let’s begin with a caveat: the reader should set aside any evaluative assumptions. This is […]
Is the evangelical tent getting bigger?
In the second edition of their book Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology (Baker, 2009), Gregory Boyd and Paul Eddy offer a survey of seventeen theological issues of debate among evangelicals. That list includes the following: biblical inerrancy divine providence divine foreknowledge the interpretation of Genesis 1 (young earth view; day age view; restoration view; literary […]
The Conservative Echo Chamber at The Stream
Today Michael Brown posted an article complaining that CNN is being unfair in its coverage of Donald Trump. Of course, I had to reply. As if this writing, my response elicited replies from three individuals, all clearly Trump supporters and presumably conservative Christians. Each of my replies was clear, concise, and professional. In one of […]
You can dis the minorities, but don’t mess with Ted!
On Saturday night while speaking at an event in South Carolina, Donald Trump turned his criticism on Ted Cruz. He denounced Cruz for criticizing New Yorkers and their values. And he lampooned Cruz for failing to declare a 2012 loan from Goldman Sachs. One can safely assume two things about Trump’s audience: first, they are largely Christian; and […]
Do liberal theologians intend to change the gospel?
It is a truth commonly known that people are generally more aware of the weaknesses and dangers attendant to the views of others, less so with respect to the views they themselves hold. This is a point that every self-described Christian conservative, evangelical and fundamentalist would do well to consider. (Of course it is also […]
Why Christians shouldn’t call themselves conservatives
To identify oneself as a “conservative” is to identify oneself with some particular aspect(s) of the present/past that one believes ought to be retained or conserved going into the future. Needless to say, everybody is a conservative in some respect because we all think there are at least some things from the present/past that should be retained […]
An illustration for the wisdom of conservatism (theological and otherwise)
Eight years ago we moved to Edmonton, Alberta. A month or so after we arrived I noticed a strange piece of wood on the floor with a shiny black veneer. “What the heck is that?” I thought to myself. And I set it aside, thinking I would soon discover from where it had come and thus where it […]
Why conservatism is often riskier than you might think (and other observations on losing faith)
In “The ignorance of Richard Dawkins defended (but not very well)” Robert observed: “Sometimes I wonder what faith would have been like without inerrancy. I went from inerrancy to disbelief within about a year.” Ouch. Walter added the following observation: “I was raised Baptist, but went Church of Christ for a couple of years before […]
The hottest thing in the kitchen
Thom Stark was accused of being a liberal right here in my li’l ole blog. Apparently the fellow who made the accusation hit a nerve because Mr. Stark responded with a post explaining why he is a conservative. I have another way to respond to the charge of being a liberal. I open my worn copy of […]
